Monday, August 30, 2010

I previously posted a story about the return of the Spirit Halloween store to Bowie Plaza in the former Giant location. I later heard from a vendor in Bowie Plaza that Giant's lease in that space expires in June, 2012. Vendors heard one rumor that a Food Lion was opening in that location, and they later heard that World Gym might be moving in. Hopefully we won't have to wait until the summer of 2012 to see a store occupy that space permanently.

Three people were arrested on drug charges when a search and seizure warrant was served in the 15000 block of Nighthawk Lane in Bowie earlier this month. According to the Bowie Police Department, marijuana, cocaine and drug paraphernalia were confiscated in the raid.

The investigation and the warrant services were conducted by members of the Bowie Police Department. Not long ago, these tasks would have been handled by the Prince George's County Police Department, but the Bowie force is increasing its role.

"As the department moves forward and grows we will continue to work toward expanding our capabilities," said Bowie Deputy Police Chief John Nesky. "One of our objectives for the fiscal year is to begin establishing an investigative division, and we are moving steadily toward that goal."

Friday, August 27, 2010

The Maryland State Highway Administration is warning drivers to avoid Route 50 East in Prince George's County between the Capital Beltway and the Anne Arundel County line this weekend (August 27th to 30th). Lane closures will take place between 9pm Friday night and 5am Monday morning. There will be no HOV restrictions during this time. Emergency repairs are being made to sections of concrete damaged by high heat and heavy traffic. Click here to read more information on WTOP (scroll down to the second story on the page).

Thursday, August 26, 2010

An armed robber made off with an unknown amount of jewelery just before noon today from Kay Jewelers in the Bowie Town Center. One round from the suspect's gun discharged and hit the floor. The Bowie Police reported the following:

On 8/26/10 at 1135 Hrs, Bowie Police responded to Kay Jewelers, located at 15505 Emerald Way for an Armed Robbery. Upon arrival, officers were advised that the suspect entered the T/A, displayed an unknown caliber handgun, and demanded that the clerk empty the jewelry case. The clerk complied and gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of jewelry. As the suspect fled the store, one round discharged from his weapon and struck the floor to the T/A. The suspect fled the scene towards Evergreen Pkwy. Arriving Officers immediately set up a perimeter and PG Police K-9 responded to attempt a track, with negative results. PG Police Robbery units arrived on the scene to assist with the investigation. No injuries occurred during the incident.

Bowie Plaza will see a temporary spike in visitors this fall as the Spirit Halloween store returns to the shopping center. The specialty store attracts shoppers from all over the county and beyond, and the parking lot sometimes looks busier than it did when Giant occupied the space.

I still miss the convenience of having a grocery store in that location. I continue to hear rumors that Giant still leases the space, and Giant allegedly blocks other grocery stores from moving to that Bowie Plaza location. According to one rumor from a couple of years ago, Bloom grocery store hoped to open a store in the plaza.

City officials are measured in their comments about the former Giant location. They will only confirm that Giant still holds the lease.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

This week's episode of Bowie News and Views is now on YouTube in two parts. John Rouse and Burt Oliver chat about the upcoming election. Once Oliver and Rouse establish the fact that John Rouse is a "little bit to the left" and Burt Oliver is a "little bit to the right," they get down to business discussing candidates, campaign signs, letters to the editor, local coverage of the elections and more.

Who does John Rouse support for County Executive? Who is referred to as the cicada politician? Watch the show to find out.

Click here to see the entire Bowie News and Views YouTube collection, and click here to see the entire set of Bowie cable television YouTube videos.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Shoppers Food & Pharmacy will move its headquarters from Lanham to the Maryland Science and Technology Center in Bowie this October. Shoppers will occupy 25,000 square feet of office space in the Melford Plaza II building (pictured to the left), and the company will also occupy another 2,520 square feet of space on Telsa Drive.

Maryland Science and Technology developer St. John Properties has struggled to fill the Melford Plaza II building. St. John Properties offered additional commissions and incentives to brokers for showing and leasing space in Melford Plaza II as early as March, 2009, - 17 months before the Shoppers announcement. Shoppers will be one of the first tenants in the building.

According to St. John Properties, three Marriott hotels are planned for the Maryland Science and Technology site.

This week's episode of Bowie News and Views is now on YouTube in two parts. John Rouse chats with Bowie businessman Dan Melvin of Melvin Motors about his memories of Bowie. Melvin has lived in the area since he was six years old, and he shared some of the following memories with Rouse:

Huntington (Old Bowie) was the population center for the immediate area

What is now Route 197 was a gravel road

There was a time when Mitchellville was nothing more than a couple of houses, a school and a post office in the heart of tobacco country

Melvin visited the Belair Mansion and Belair Stud and Stable as a teenager

J-Mart

Busing

The Democratic Club meeting at McNamara's Barn

Click here to see the entire Bowie News and Views YouTube collection, and click here to see the entire set of Bowie cable television YouTube videos.

The rock concert is the first of three music events planned by the arts committee. A jazz concert will take place in January, and a hip-hop event is planned for next March.

The concerts are the brainchild of arts committee member Owen Adams. Adams wanted to establish music events to showcase local talent and music that people wouldn't normally hear in Bowie. The event is described on the City of Bowie Web site as follows:

“Rock n’ Roll at the Playhouse”The first of three music concerts aimed at college-age young adults and their young-at-heart friends will be August 20. The concert will showcase up and coming local artists from the metro D.C./Maryland area. For more information, contact Andra Berry at aberry@cityofbowie.org or Annette Esterheld at aesterheld@cityofbowie.org.

Adams became a member of the Bowie Arts Committee after graduating high school in 2008, and he is currently enrolled in a music program at the University of Maryland. Adams is known for his classical piano talents. He performed at the Haiti benefit concert at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts last February, and Adams' band Stravagant has performed at Bowiefest.

Adams said that he chose bands for the first event that had a good sound and a good following. Friday's rock concert will feature Monteclair (formerly known as Question the Hearing), Suffering Messiah and Adams' own band, Stravagant. Click here to listen to Monteclair performing "Less Days, Less Days," and watch the following video to see Stravagant performing "Better Than" at the 2009 Bowiefest festival at Allen Pond Park. Owen Adams is the musician playing the keyboard in the video.

The doors open at 7:00pm Friday night, and the first band will go on at 8:30. Admission is $5. Cetrone's Pizza is co-sponsoring the event, and pizza will be available for purchase between performances.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Jerry's Seafood, with locations in Bowie and Lanham, has earned the WTOP Best Crab Cake 2010 honor based on the results of an on-line poll. Jerry's Place in Prince Frederick came in second, and G&M Restaurant in Linthicum Heights earned third place honors. Click here to read more details.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

The Bowie Star is reporting that 80 to 85 percent of homeowners in the Prince George's County residential assessment area 2 will see a drop in the assessed values of their homes when notifications go out in the coming months. Area 2 includes eastern sections of Prince George's County, including Bowie. Click here to see the Prince George's County assessment areas. Click here to read the story. I'm not sure I agree with the headline that property values are expected to drop. I think the values have already dropped, and the assessments will be catching up.

Bowie lobbyist Darrell Carrington is running against Doug Peters for Maryland's Distrist 23 Senate seat. Although you won't read this in the Bowie Star article, some people think this is more political maneuvering by Doug Peters. Click here to read the Bowie Star report.

The Bowie Chamber of Commerce will host a candidates' forum on August 25th for the District 23 Senate race and the District 23A and 23B House of Delegates races. Click here to read the story.

Bowie City Planner Joe Meinert is profiled for this decrepit map of the month exhibits at Bowie City Hall. Click here to read the story.

A Bowie man was arrested in Howard County and charged with human trafficking after allegedly attempting to convince an undercover police officer to work for him as a prostitute. Click here to read the story.

A Bowie man appears to have committed suicide in prison after being arrested for sex offenses. Click here to read the story.

The City of Bowie and BGE assess the success of the Bowie Electric Reliability program. Click here to read the story.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Bowie Community Theatre Presents "Same Time, Next Year""Same Time, Next Year", 8pm-11pm, Bowie Playhouse, 16500 White Marsh Drive, Bowie, MD, 20715. Click here for map. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. "Same Time, Next Year" will be performed each Friday, Saturday and Sunday between July 30th to August 14th.

The Lady Rose Blues Band Performs at the Old Bowie Town GrilleThe Lady Rose Blues Band at the Old Bowie Town Grille. Blues/Jazz/R&B. 8:30pm to close. No cover charge. The following description is posted on the Old Bowie Town Grille Web site.

Please join us FRIDAY, AUGUST 13th for the OBTG Debut of BLUES DIVA LADY ROSE & THE LADY ROSE BLUES Live 8:30pm to Close (No Cover!) The Soul powered high energy blues band with powerhouse vocals from Lady Rose!!! Often referred to as the "Real Deal" and the band that "rocked the house!!!" Lady Rose brings you the best of the blues nice and easy, or she can belt it out a little rough, depending on the song of the moment. Covers include songs by Etta James, koko Taylor,Buddy Guy, Hendrix, BB King and more. Special guest musicians include Steve Remy (formerly with Acme Blues Company),Tom Muck (currently with Alpha Dog Blues Band), and Mr. "blow your socks off " Mark Kraemer. Veteran drummer Tony Brown is also quickly earning a reputation of being one of the hottest drummers around town.

The following is The Lady Rose Blues Band performing "I Got to Love Somebody."

Click here for a video of the band performing Aerosmith's "Walkin The Dog." Click here for the Lady Rose Band Web site, and click here for the Lady Rose Facebook page.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Free Blues Concert in Old BowieThe 2010 Saturday Old Town Bowie Summer Concert Series wraps up with a live performance from Bottle of Blues from 2pm to 4pm in Town Green Park. The following is a description of the band's music taken from the Bottle of Blues Web site.

All members of Bottle of Blues have diverse musical backgrounds, with styles ranging from Jazz to Bluegrass and Pop to Swing. Because of this blend of experience, Bottle of Blues provides traditional blues with a twist of non-conventional bluesy arrangements from modern artists such as Sting and Steely Dan.

Click here to sample some of Bottle of Blues songs from the band's Web site. Click here for the band's MySpace page, and click here for the Facebook event for the Bowie show.

The event will be canceled in the event of inclement weather. Click here (PDF file) for the 2010 concert series schedule, and click here (PDF file) for the 2010 Music in the Parks brochure. Click here for a Google image of Town Green Park.

Bowie Community Theatre Presents "Same Time, Next Year"(Final Performance)"Same Time, Next Year", 8pm-11pm, Bowie Playhouse, 16500 White Marsh Drive, Bowie, MD, 20715. Click here for map. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. "Same Time, Next Year" will be performed each Friday, Saturday and Sunday between July 30th to August 14th.

The Ladies Sing the Blues Bash at the Old Bowie Town GrilleOld Bowie Town Grille. Motown/R&B. 8:o0pm to close. $10. Reservations and advanced tickets highly recommended. The following description is posted on the Old Bowie Town Grille Web site.

It's going to be one hot night on Saturday, August 14th at the "Ladies Sing The Blues Bash" Live 8:00pm to Close! Featuring three luscious blues divas, presented by the Old Bowie Town Grille. The first 100 guests will receive free goody bags. Tickets are now available at www.moonshinesociety.com and by calling the Old Bowie Town Grille at (301) 464-8800. Reservations and advance tickets are highly recommended. Tickets- $10. Lady Sings The Blues Bash lineup: -Carly Harvey- Acoustic blues stylings -Moonshine Society- Electric blues rock, with Pete Ragusa (The Nighthawks) making his Society debut on the drums. www.moonshinesociety.com and facebook.com/moonshinesociety -The Stacy Brooks Band- Wammie nominated blues artist back by an all star band! www.stacysmusic.org The Old Bowie Town Grille has great food and a full bar. Visit www.oldbowietowngrille.com for location and additional information. Official Home of Moonshine Society www.moonshinesociety.com Official home of Moonshine Society- High energy roots inspired blues rock. Featuring blues pinup Black Betty and DC guitarist Joe Poppen.

Bowie Farmers' MarketOpen from 8am to noon in the parking lot of the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts at Bowie High School, 15200 Annapolis Road. The farmers' market is held each Sunday through October 31st.

D.C. Motors Band Performs Classic Rock in Allen Pond ParkCome hear the D.C. Motors Band perform at Allen Pond Park from 7pm to 8pm. The event is part of the City of Bowie's 2010 Sunday Sunset Concert Series at Allen Pond Park. Click here to sample audio recordings of the D.C. Motors Band, and click here to see the band's song list.

Noodles & Company announced that it will open its 15th Maryland restaurant at the Bowie Town Center on Thursday, August 19th in the former Chicken Out Rotisserie location. Get ready for some Japanese Pan Noodles®, Pad Thai or Penne Rosa.

The menu includes Asian, Mediterranean and American noodle dishes, soups and salads. Buttered Noodles and Wisconsin Mac & Cheese® are available for the kids, and Square Bowls to Go® are available for large groups.

The restaurant plans on being active in the Bowie community through fundraisers and other events to benefit local schools and neighborhood organizations. Look for Noodles & Company at the annual Back to School Bash at the Bowie Gym on Saturday, August 21st.

This week's episode of Bowie News and Views is now on YouTube in two parts. John Rouse and Burt Oliver chat with musician Owen Adams from the City of Bowie Arts Committee. Adams discusses upcoming rock, jazz and hip-hip concerts at the Bowie Playhouse featuring local up and coming artists including Owen Adams' band Stravagant.

Click here to see the entire Bowie News and Views YouTube collection, and click here to see the entire set of Bowie cable television YouTube videos.

Monday, August 9, 2010

The 7-11 convenience store in Hilltop Plaza was robbed by a man with a gun early last Thursday morning, August 5th. The suspect made off with $25 in cash and fifteen packs of cigarettes. The robbery was captured on the store surveillance video. Click here to read the report from the City of Bowie Police Department.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Bowie woman is one of two people indicted in scheme to steal funds from the Deputy Sheriff's Association. Click here to read the details.

Members of Bowie area pools competed in the Prince-Mont League All Star Meet at Whitehall Pool and Tennis last Saturday. Click here for more details.

Jerry Devlin writes about a humbling experience at the recent Disabled American Veterans Conference in Atlanta. Click here to read the column.

In the Readers' Views section, BGE discusses the company's response to last week's power outages, Belair Swim & Racquet thanks Whitehall Pool & Tennis for welcoming members to their club during BSR's recent closure and District 23A resident Alvin Butler discovers that Shukoor Ahmed is more than "just a strange name on a sign." Click here to read the readers' views.

Belair Bath & Tennis to host swim-a-thon to raise money for the family of the late Mark Wascavage. Click here for more details.

David Emanuel reviews Same Time, Next Year. Click here to read the review.

Click here to see more news and articles on the Bowie Blade-News Web site.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Bowie Community Theatre Presents "Same Time, Next Year""Same Time, Next Year", 8pm-11pm, Bowie Playhouse, 16500 White Marsh Drive, Bowie, MD, 20715. Click here for map. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. "Same Time, Next Year" will be performed each Friday, Saturday and Sunday between July 30th to August 14th.

The Freestate HouseRockers Perform at the Old Bowie Town GrilleThe Freestate Houserockers at the Old Bowie Town Grille. Blues/Texas R&B/Swang/Rock-N-Roll. 8:30pm to close. No cover charge upstairs only. The following description is posted on the Old Bowie Town Grille Web site.

The Freestate HouseRockers (FSHR) ride again! Please come out and join us FRIDAY, AUGUST 6th at 8:30PM @ The Old Bowie Town Grille This band is HOT. FSHR play a mix of Blues, Texas R&B, Swang,Rock-N-Roll and other postwar Hick Music. Come down and join your ol' buddies Paulie, Domar, Cowboy and RB for a Genuine Houserockin', dancin' good time. BTW there is no cover charge. Check out or myspace for more info and soundclips: www.myspace.com/thefreestatehouserockers

The following is The Freestate Houserockers performing Just a Feeling.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Fossil Hunting in Dinosaur ParkDinosaur Park in Laurel is open from noon to 4pm on the first and third Saturday of every month. Click here for more details.

Free Concert in Old BowieThe Saturday Old Town Bowie Summer Concert Series continues with a performance by ilyAIMY (I love you and I miss you) from 2pm to 4pm in Town Green Park. The duo recently performed at the Old Bowie Town Grille. ilyAIMY performs percussive acoustic/folk/alternative rock. Below is a video of ilyAIMY performing Crazy as a Good Thing. Click here to see ilyAIMY cover the Beatles' We can Work it Out. This has to be the most unique covers of any Beatles' song.

The event will be canceled in the event of inclement weather. Click here (PDF file) for the 2010 concert series schedule, and click here (PDF file) for the 2010 Music in the Parks brochure. Click here for a Google image of Town Green Park.

Bowie Community Theatre Presents "Same Time, Next Year""Same Time, Next Year", 8pm-11pm, Bowie Playhouse, 16500 White Marsh Drive, Bowie, MD, 20715. Click here for map. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. "Same Time, Next Year" will be performed each Friday, Saturday and Sunday between July 30th to August 14th.

The Exclusives Band Performs Motown/R&B at the Old Bowie Town GrilleThe Exclusives Band at the Old Bowie Town Grille. Motown/R&B. 8:30pm to close. $5 cover charge. The following description is posted on the Old Bowie Town Grille Web site.

Remember everyone's favorite Motown/R&B Group? Well, they are now called The Exclusives and they are ready to bring down the house SATURDAY, AUGUST 7th from 8:30pm to Close ($5 Cover)!

Bowie Farmers' MarketOpen from 8am to noon in the parking lot of the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts at Bowie High School, 15200 Annapolis Road. The farmers' market is held each Sunday through October 31st.

Bowie Community Theatre Presents "Same Time, Next Year""Same Time, Next Year", 2pm-5pm, Bowie Playhouse, 16500 White Marsh Drive, Bowie, MD, 20715. Click here for map. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. "Same Time, Next Year" will be performed each Friday, Saturday and Sunday between July 30th to August 14th.

Contemporary Jazz Concert in Allen Pond ParkCome hear the David Bach Consort perform contemporary jazz at Allen Pond Park from 7pm to 8pm. The event is part of the City of Bowie's 2010 Sunday Sunset Concert Series at Allen Pond Park.

Below is a video of the David Bach Consort performing at an outdoor concert in Silver Spring in 2009.

Maria discusses her latest book Liberation, the first book in the Andrusian Chronicles, a fantasy trilogy that she describes as being like the Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of Narnia. Liberation is available on-line, in area book stores, and several copies have been donated to the Bowie library.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Pasta Plus in Laurel has earned the WTOP Best Italian Restaurant title for the second year in a row. Pasta Plus received 32% of the votes of WTOP listeners in an unscientific survey, just barely beating out Maggianos at 31%. Click here to read more details.

The City of Bowie posted the following notice about the National Night Out event taking place, Tuesday, August 3rd at Allen Pond Park:

The Bowie Police Department will celebrate National Night Out from 6 - 8 p.m. at Allen Pond Park. National Night Out is a nationwide crime and drug prevention event designed to promote information sharing and community strength. The event will include police displays, child fingerprinting, free child ID cards, crime prevention and safety information. Children can meet Spiderman, and enjoy a moon bounce. There will also be a variety of activities and free food. Please join us for an evening of family fun.

Click here to see the flyer with more details about the event. Click here to see pictures from last year's National Night Out in Bowie.

Monday, August 2, 2010

The Prince George's County Police Department announced last week that crime is down 6.3% for the first half of 2010 versus the same period in 2009. Here are some statistics from the announcement:

violent crime down 11.7% (homicides down 14%; rapes down 10.8%)

property crime down 5.3%

robberies down 18.3%

Click here to read more details on the Prince George County Police News Blog.

Statistics also showed a decline in crime for Prince George's County from 2008 to 2009, although there was an increase in crime in Bowie for the same period. I still haven't heard Bowie crime statistics for the first half of 2010.